Thieves targeting trail bikes

POLICE are warning owners of trail bikes to be vigilant after two were stolen from owners’ homes in Lismore.

In the last 10 days, one bike was taken from East Lismore and another from Invercauld Road, Goonellabah; while two attempted thefts took place at Girards Hill in Lismore.

In the latest incident, which occurred between 7am last Friday and 7am on Saturday, a KTM 525 motorcycle was stolen when offenders entered a home in Conte Street, East Lismore, after forcing entry. The motorcycle and a helmet were stolen.

Crime prevention officer Snr Const Michael Hogan said the bike stolen from the Invercauld Road home was also a KTM model, but thieves were targeting a number of different makes.

He said the bikes were easily sold for their parts alone because identification markings were only located on the motor and chassis.

Snr Const Hogan said easy theft prevention measures included locking the bike to a garage floor with a chain attached to a Dynabolt.

Other measures included immobilising the front wheel with a disc lock system.

Snr Const Hogan said owners could also drain petrol from the tank, keep keys separate from the motorbike, install deadlocks on garage doors, place sensor lights outside the garage or storage area and even install an alarm system.

Snr Const Hogan also said that washing motorbikes in front of the house might alert thieves to its whereabouts.

Finally, take a photo of the bike and keep it with your records, he said.